The Dehradun Meteorological Centre on Wednesday predicted heavy to very heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of Uttarakhand for the next 36 hours starting from Thursday evening

The forecast is for 36 hours beginning Thursday evening and is applicable especially to the mountainous districts of Uttarakhand including Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi and Pithoragarh.(HT file photo)

The Dehradun Meteorological Centre on Wednesday predicted heavy to very heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of Uttarakhand for the next 36 hours starting from Thursday evening.

The possibility of snowfall is especially higher in places located 3000 meters above sea level in districts Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Pithoragarh. Rainfall and hailstorm will also occur in the state.

Following the warning issued by the Dehradun MeT Centre, the state disaster management and rehabilitation department on Wednesday sent out a letter to all the district magistrates, directing them to stay on alert following the prediction about inclement weather.

Santosh Badoni, deputy secretary, disaster management department, said there is a fear that heavy snowfall could lead to the occurrence of avalanche (rapid flow of a mass of snow, ice and rocks down a mountain that could trigger a disaster).

“Hence, all the district magistrates have been asked to disseminate the weather warning in the (disaster) sensitive areas in their respective districts,” Badoni said.

The DMs have been asked to advise people in the high-risk areas to avoid venturing near locations prone to snowfall.